Press Releases

SFH on MERS

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (June 1):

Reporter: Are there any updates of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) cases and all the parties at the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village?

Secretary for Food and Health: I am very concerned about those persons with history of close contact with the patient from Korea. I have been keenly following up on the development. Up to noon today, they are still stable and none of them have developed any symptoms referable to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

Reporter: (About the condition of the student being quarantined.)

Secretary for Food and Health: They include the student.

Reporter: Do you expect there will be more imported cases?

Secretary for Food and Health: I think nobody in any places or countries can predict whether there will be or will not be more imported cases. The most important thing for us to do is to enhance our surveillance work at the border. Since the outbreak of MERS, we have not stopped our surveillance work at the border. Up to this moment, for all flights coming from the Middle East areas and other affected areas, we have arranged onboard broadcasting reminding passengers with symptoms referable to MERS to report to our Port Health personnel.

Reporter: (Should there be any tougher laws?)

Secretary for Food and Health: I think our public health regulations are updated with reference to the guidelines of the World Health Organization as well as international public health legislation.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Monday, June 1, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:27

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